Aerosol valve



sept. 13, 1966 c. R, ALLENBACH ETAL 3,272,442

AEROSOL VALVE Filed Jan. 1e, 1964 [NVE ORS CHARLES ROBERT A ENBACH THOMAS A. BRADFIELD PAUL. E. GUNNING DONALD R. RINK United States Patent O 3,272,442 AEROSOL VALVE Charles Robert Allenbach, Wiliiamsville, Thomas A. Bradfield, Buffalo, Paul E. Gunning, Kenmore, and Donald R. Rink, Cheektowaga, NX., assignors to Union Carbide Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 338,132 16 Claims. (Cl. 239-579) This invention relates to valves for aerosol containers.

Aerosol containers are known to be a very convenient means for dispensing fluids or solids suspended in a fluid stream, However, when nely divided solids either in a dry or in a slurry system are dispensed from such a container, presently available valves tend to clog and severly limit or even cut off the uidized stream of the dispensed material. In addition, solid particles tend to accumulate on the valve seat after each use of the aerosol container and prevent the complete closure of the valve means. This of course results in leakage of the propellent from the aerosol container and vitiates its further utility. Also, solid particles accumulating in the valve adversely affect the coefficient of friction of the moving parts of the valve and hinder its operation.

It is the principal object of the present invention to avoid the aforementioned difficulties and to provide an aerosol valve particularly Well suited for use with aerosol containers dispensing finely-divided solid materials.

It is a further object to provide an aerosol valve that is adapted to dispense metered amounts of finely-divided solid materials.

It is another object to provide an aerosol valve which does not clog or stick during use.

Additional objects will readily present themselves to the skilled artisan upon reference to the ensuing specification and the drawing in which:

FIG. l is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of the aerosol valve of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention adapted to dispense metered amounts of material contained in an aerosol dispenser.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by an aerosol valve the principal feature of which is a graduated sequence of opening or orifice sizes within the valve assembly and an eductor tube having an inside diameter smaller than that of any of the openings in the valve assembly. For a non-metering aerosol valve it has been found that the effective inside diameters of the eductor tube, the stem opening, and the discharge orifice must be of progressively increasing magnitude. For a metering aerosol valve, the same general considerations apply to both the metering portion of the valve and the discharge portion of the valve. These two portions can be considered as two valving means operating jointly within an aerosol valve assembly. Thus the effective diameter of the metering opening must be larger than the effective inside diameter of the eductor tube and the effective diameter of the discharge orifice must be larger than the effective diameter of the stem opening.

The term opening as employed herein and in the appended claims denotes both a single opening or orifice, or a group of spaced openings or orifices performing a similar function. The term effective diameter denotes the diameter of a single orifice capable of the same mass throughput as the opening referred to.

Since the instant aerosol valves contemplate the use of valving means which are resilient diaphragms having a central bore through which a valve stem is slidably disposed, it has been found that the valve operation can be further enhanced by decreasing the coefficient of friction of the moving parts within the valve assembly. An additional benefit can be gained if the valve stem, selected portions thereof, or the stationary bearing surfaces of the valve diaphragms are coated with a permanent resilient coating of a halohydrocarbon polymer. Typical illusa trative halohydrocarbon polymers are homopolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, and the like.

The coefficient of friction between the moving parts of the instant valve can be conveniently reduced by applying -thereto a lubricant, which is relatively non-volatile under the normal service conditions of the aerosol valve and which is compatible with the materials of construction employed and with the components of the aerosol system. The lubricant can be applied also over the coated portions of the valve stem. Typical of such lubricants are hydrocarbon oils and greases, silicon oils and greases, and the like. Also, contemplated are the suspensions in the aforementioned oils and greases of solid lubricants such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide, boron nitride, powered tetrafluoroethylene polymers, and the like.

Illustrative hydrocarbon base lubricants are mineral oil, petroleum jelly, polyglycols, and the like.

Illustrative silicone oils and greases are organic-siloxane fluid polymers with or without a thickening agent such as reactive silica, silica admixed with reactive boric oxide, soaps, and the like.

In the drawing, FIG. l shows a valve housing 10 provided with a transverse apertured wall 1 at the lower end thereof. A resilient valve diaphragm 12 seals off the upper of the housing 10 and together with the apertured wall and the housing defines a chamber 13,. A supporting means such as rigid washer 14 underlies the valve diaphragm 12 and serves to prevent the valve diaphragm 12 from travelling downward when the valve stem 15 is longitudinally moved in that direction. Alternately, an inward flange can be provided on the housing 10 in lieu of the washer 14 or the housing can be made of a small enough diameter to provide a support for the diaphragm 12.

The valve stem 15 is mounted in the housing 10. The top portion 16 of the valve stem 15 is provided with a longitudinal conduit 17 and a lateral stem opening 18. The lateral opening 18 is located adjacent to the valve diaphragm 12. The top portion 16 extends through and is slidable in the central bore of the valve diaphragm 12. In addition the top portion 16 is sufficiently long so as to project beyond the top of an aerosol container and so as to accept an actuator button 19.

The middle portion 20 of the valve stem 15 is enlarged. This portion cooperates with the valve diaphragm 12 so as to control the dispensing of the contents of the aerosol container. In an embodiment of this invention the middle portion 20 is coated with a halohydrocarbon polymer coating which provides a resilient mating surface with the diaphragm 12. The bottom portion 21 of the valve stem 15 extends through the apertured wall 11 of the valve housing 10 and guides the valve stem 15 against tilting when depressed.

A bias means 22, usually in the form of a spring or the like, is situated within the housing 10 and against the enlarged middle portion 20 of the valve stem 15 so as to urge the middle portion 20 against the valve diaphragm 12 and in a sealing relationship therewith.

An eductor tube 23 extends into the aerosol container and is mounted on the apertured wall 11 so as to communicate with the chamber 13 of the valve housing lil. The effective inside diameter of the eductor tube 23 is smaller than the effective inside diameters of all of the openings of the valve assembly. Also, care should be agrega-a taken that the aperture of the eductor tube is not too close to the terminal end of the bottom portion 21 so as to avoid compacting of loose powder against the aperture of the eductor tube 23, thereby plugging it. The proper spacing can lbe readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The actuator button 19 has a longitudinal passage 24 provided with a discharge orifice 25 the effective diameter of which is always greater than that of the stern opening 18. The longitudinal passage 24 communicates with the longitudinal conduit 17 of the top portion of the valve stern 15. When the actuator button 19 is depressed the valve stern 15 is moved longitudinally against the bias means 22 and from a normal sealing position to a discharge position. The discharge position is reached when the longitudinal conduit 17 communicates with the chamber 13 of the valve housing 10 via the stem opening 18. Upon release of pressure on the actuator button 19 the bias means 22 returns the valve stern 15 to the normal sealing position.

.A means for mounting the valve housing on an aerosol container is shown by 26. This can be conveniently a conventional mounting cup for an aerosol container which is crimped around a flange on the valve housing 10 and the peripheral wall of an opening in the aerosol container.

FlG. 2 shows an aerosol valve adapted to dispense metered amounts of material in aerosol form. The dispensing portion of the valve of FIG. 2 is substantially the same as set forth in FIG. 1. In interests of conciseness and clarity the common elements are identied by the same numerals and function in the manner hereinabove described.

However, in addition, the bottom portion 21 of the valve stem is provided with a metering passageway such as the longitudinal yconduit 27 Which communicates with the aerosol container. The conduit 27 i-s provided with a lateral metering opening shown as orifices 28 and 29. ln the alternative the bottom portion 21 can be provided with longitudinal indentations or flutes serving substantially the same function. While FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of this valve having two metering orifices in some instances only one metering orifice is adequate or a iiuted bottom portion of the valve stem 15 may be employed. The metering passageway provides communication means between the aerosol container and chamber 13 of the valve housing 10 when this enlarged middle portion of the valve stem 15 is in a normal sealing relationship with the valve diaphragm 12 and thus the passageway is located accordingly on the bottom portion 21 of the valve stem 15. The location of the metering opening, shown as the orifices 28 and 29, must be such that when the valve stern 15 is moved longitudinally to a discharge position, the opening is moved into a sealing relationship with a resilient metering diaphragm such as the free-floating diaphragm 30. The diaphragm 30 is provided with a central bore through which the bottom portion 21 of the valve stem 15 extends. The diaphragm overlies the apertured wall 11 and is urged thereagainst by the bias means 22. A rigid washer 31 having a central bore is interposed between the diaphragm 31 and the bias means 22. The washer 31 serves to prevent the upward travel of the free-floating diaphragm 30 with the upward movement of the valve stem 15.

In a metering valve of the type shown in FIG. 2 the chamber 13 is filled by the container pressure With the material to be dispensed when the valve stern 15 i-s moved to the normal sealing position. When the valve stem 15 is subsequently moved to the discharge position, the material contained in the chamlber 13 is dispensed through the discharge orifice in the manner hereinabove described. The dosage to be dispensed i-s controlled by the capacity of chamber 13.

The foregoing discussion is intended to be illustrative. Other modifications of structure and a rearrangement of the parts can be resorted to without a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim:

l. An aerosol valve particularly well suited for use with aerosol containers dispensing finely-divided solid materials which comprises, in combination, a tubular valve housing provided with a transverse apertured wall extending thereacross at the lower end of the housing; means for mounting the housing on an aerosol container; a resilient valve diaphragm having a central bore mounted so as to seal the upper end of the housing; a support means for the diaphragm mounted adjacent to and underlying the diaphragm; a valve stem mounted inthe housing, having a top portion provided with a longitudinal conduit and a lateral stem opening, extending through and slidable in the bore of the valve diaphragm, and projecting beyond the container, an enlarged middle portion cooperating with the valve diaphragm to seal the container, and a bottom portion extending into the apertured wall of the housing to guide the stem against tilting; bias means within the housing urging the enlarged middle portion of the valve stem in a sealing relationship with the valve diaphragm; an eductor tube extending into the container, mounted on the apertured wall, and communicating with the valve housing; and an actuator button having a longitudinal passage provided with a discharge orifice and communicating with the longitudinal conduit of the valve stem; the lateral stem opening being normally located adjacent to the valve diaphragm so that a longitudinal movement of the valve stern against the bias means and from a normal sealing position to a discharge position causes the longitudinal conduit of the top portion to be moved into communication with the interior of the valve housing, and the effective inside diameters of the eductor tube, the stern opening, and the discharge orifice being of progressively increasing magnitude.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein at least the portion of the valve stern sliding through the valve diaphragm is coated with a lubricant.

3. The valve of claim 1 wherein at least the enlarged middle portion of the valve stem is permanently coated with a halohydrocarbon polymer.

4. An aerosol valve particularly well suited for use with aerosol containers dispensing finely-divided solid material which comprises, in combination, a tubular valve housing provided with a transverse apertured wall extending thereacross at the lower end of the housing; means for mounting the housing on an aerosol container; a resilient valve diaphragm having a central bore mounted so as to seal the upper end of the housing; a rigid Washer having a central bore mounted adjacent to and underlying the valve diaphragm; a valve stem mounted in the housing and having a top portion provided with a longitudinal conduit and a lateral stem orifice extending through and slidable in the bore in the valve diaphragm and projecting beyond the container, an enlarged middle portion cooperating with the valve diaphragm to seal the container, and a bottom portion extending into the apertured wall of the housing to guide the stem against tilting; bias means within the housing urging the enlarged middle portion of the valve stem in a sealing relationship with the valve diaphragm; an eductor tube extending into the container, `mounted 4on the apertured wall, and communicating with the valve housing; and an actuator button having a longitudinal passage provided with a discharge orifice and communicating with the longitudinal conduit of the valve stem; the lateral stern orifice being normally located adjacent to the valve diaphragm so that a longitudinal movement of the valve stem against the bias means and from a normal sealing position to a discharge position causes the longitudinal conduit of the top portion to be moved into communication with the valve housing, and the effective inside diameters of the eductor tube, the stem orifice, and the discharge orifice being of progressively increasing magnitude.

5. The value of claim 4 wherein at least the portion of the valve stem sliding through the valve diaphragm is coated with petroleum jelly.

6. The valve of claim 4 wherein at least the enlarged middle portion of the valve stern is coated with a tetratluoroethylene polymer.

7. The valve of claim 4 wherein at least the portion of the valve stem sliding through the valve diaphragm is coated by a hydrocarbon oil.

8. The valve of claim 4 wherein at least the portion of the valve sliding through the valve disk is coated with a silicone oil.

9. A metering aerosol valve particularly well suited for use with aerosol containers dispensing nely-divided solid materials which comprises, in combination, a tubular valve housing provided with a transverse apertured wall extending thereacross at the lower end of the housing; means for mounting the housing on an aerosol container; a resilient valve diaphragm having a central bore mounted so as to seal the upper end of the housing; a support means for the diaphragm mounted adjacent to and underlying the diaphragm; a resilient metering diaphragm having a central bore overlying the apertured wall; a rigid washer having a central bore overlying the resilient metering diaphragm; a valve stem mounted in the housing and having a top portion provided with a longitudinal conduit `and a lateral stern opening communicating therewith, extending through and slidable in the bore of the valve diaphragm, and projecting beyond the container, an enlarged middle portion cooperating with the valve diaphragm to seal the container, and a bottom portion provided with a metering passageway, extending through and slidable in the bore of the metering diaphragm, and exiting into the apertured wall of the housing to guide the stem against tilting; bias means within the housing urging the enlarged middle portion of the valve stern in a sealing relationship with the valve diaphragm and urging the metering diaphragm against the apertured wall and around the bottom portion of the valve stem; and eductor tube extending into the container, mounted on the apertured wall and normally communicating with the interior of the valve housing via the metering passageway of the bottom portion of the valve stem; and an actuator button having a longitudinal passage provided with a discharge orice and communicating with the longitudinal conduit of the top portion of the valve stern; the lateral stem opening being located adjacent to the valve diaphragm so that a longitudinal movement of the valve stern against the bias means and from a normal sealing position to a discharge position causes the longitudinal conduit of the top portion of the valve stem to be moved into communication with the interior of the valve housing, the metering passageway cooperating with the metering diaphragm so that it normally provides communication for the valve housing with the container but seals olf the valve housing from the container when the longitudinal conduit of the top portion is moved into communication with the valve housing, the eiective diameter of the metering opening being greater than thet effective inside diameter ofthe eductor tube, and the effective diameter of the metering opening being greater than the eiective inside diameter of the eductor tube, and the effective diameter of the discharge orifice being greater than that of the stem opening.

10. The metering valve of claim 9 wherein at least the portions of the valve stem sliding through the valve diaphragms are coated with a lubricant.

11. The metering valve of claim 9 wherein at least the enlarged middle portion of the valve stem is permanently valve housing provided with a transverse apertured wall extending thereacross at the lower end of the housing; means for mounting the housing on an aerosol container; a resilient valve diaphragm having a central bore mounted so as to seal the upper end of the housing; a rigid washer having a central bore mounted adjacent to and underlying the valve diaphragm; a resilient free-floating diaphragm having a central bore overlying the apertured wall; `a rigid washer having a central bore overlying the resilient, free-floating diaphragm, a valve stem mounted in the housing and having a top portion provided with a longitudinal conduit and a lateral stem orice communieating therewith, extending through and slidable in the bore of the Valve diaphragm, and projecting beyond the container, an enlarged middle portion cooperating with the valve diaphragm to seal the container, and a bottom portion provided with a longitudinal conduit communicating with the container and at least one lateral metering orifice, extending through and slidable in the bore of the resilient free-oating diaphragm, and exiting into the apertured wall of the housing to guide the stem against tilting; bias means within the housing urging the enlarged middle portion of the valve stern in a sealing relationship with the valve diaphragm and urging the free-oating diaphragm in a sealing relationship with the apertured wall and with the bottom portion of the valve stem; an eductor tube extending into the container, mounted On the apertured wall, and normally communicating with the interior of the valve housing via the longitudinal conduit of the bottom portion of the Valve stem; and an actuator button having a longitudinal passage provided with a discharge orifice and communicating with the longitudinal conduit of the top portion of the valve stem; the lateral stem orice being located adjacent to the valve diaphragm so that a longitudinal movement of the valve stem against the bias means and from .a normal sealing position to a discharge position causes the longitudinal conduit of the top portion to be moved into communication with the interior of the valve housing, the lateral metering orifice being located adjacent to the free-oating diaphragm in the valve housing so that it normally provide-s communication for the valve housing with the container through the longitudinal `conduit of the bottom portion and the eductor tube but seals ot the valve housing from the container when the longitudinal conduit ofthe top portion is moved into communication with the valve housing, the effective diameter of the metering orifice being greater than that of the eductor tube, and the effective diameter of the discharge orifice being greater than that of the .stern orifice.

13. The metering valve of claim 12 wherein at least the portions of the valve stem `sliding through the resilient valve diaphragms are coated with petroleum jelly.

14. The metering valve of claim 12 wherein at least the enlarged middle portion of the valve stern is coated with a tetrailuoroethylene polymer.

15. The metering valve of claim 12 wherein at least the portions `of the valve stem sliding through the resilient valve diaphragms are coated with a hydrocarbon oil.

16. The metering valve of claim 12 wherein at least the portions of the valve stem sliding through the resilient valve diaphragms are coated with a silicone oil.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,202 12/ 1957 Abplanalp. 2,953,284 9/ 1960 lPrussin et al. 2,968,427 l/ 1961 Mesh'berg.

EVERETT W. KIR-BY, Primary Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner. 

